By Darius Hicks–If you could build the perfect coach what characteristics would you want them to have? You would like them to be passionate about what they do. You would want them to be dedicated to their athletes and their craft. And finally you would want them to have great character.
Those are all qualities found in Morningside College head track and field coach David Nash.
Nash is in his 11th season at Morningside as the head track and field and cross country coach, and to say he’s had some success would be an understatement:
• During the 2012-2013 season Morningside crowned six national champions at the NAIA Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.
• Morningside athletes have produced 44 All-America performances at the NAIA National Championships during the Nash era.
• In 2012 Nash was named the Hauff-Mid-America Sports/GPAC Men’s Indoor Track & field Co-Coach of the year, after Morningside accomplished the highest finish ever when they placed third in the team standings at the 2012 GPAC Indoor Track & Field Championships.
• He also received GPAC Indoor Co-Coach of the Year honors in 2013 when the Mustangs moved up to second place at the GPAC Indoor Championships.
• Nash was recently named the 2013 Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year after the Mustangs captured the 2013 GPAC Championship to qualify for the 2013 NAIA Cross Country National Championships.
One of the highlights in Nash’s career came in 2009 when he led the Mustangs to a third place finish in the conference meet, a No. 12 NAIA national ranking, and the college’s first-ever appearance as a team at the NAIA Women’s Cross Country National Championships. The Mustangs won three team championships during the 2009 regular season.
“I’ve got the greatest job in the world, I’m very fortunate to be in the place that I am now. As a coach right now it’s just awesome when you can be around your athletes and feel the drive, the passion, the excitement everyday rather competing or in practice. I honestly wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Nash said.
With that many accomplishments and achievements, many people would rest on their laurels, but not Nash. During our interview he shared with me a quote: “If you want your tree to grow, pray for rain, but don’t neglect to water your seeds.” His passion and drive is what fuels him to want to take this program to the next level and to want success for all of his athletes.
“One of the biggest visions of my philosophy is that I want people to be valued when they come to Morningside. I want them to be valued as a person and not just as a time or a distance,” Nash explained. “It’s easy to say but very hard to do, because of people’s passion. But I want them to balance the passion they have, with their faith, and their academics. Because if they put that same energy in other things they can accomplish any goal they have in life.”
Nash takes the time to work with everyone individually to develop their potential, a rare trait seen in a head coach. During the 2012 outdoor tack season he helped junior Neeia Cooperwood place third in long jump at The NAIA National Outdoor Championships.
“ I love coach Nash. He’s done so much for me since I’ve been here. Last year he really inspired me to go the extra mile and accomplish my goals. He always believed in me, and that’s what I love the most about him he actually cares about his athletes,” said Cooperwood.
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